Estimation of iodine in fortified salts by an improved electrometric method

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to apply an improved electrometric method using polarized electrodes to quantify iodine in 241 salt samples pertaining to 15 different brands procured from the local market.Design/methodology/approach – Comparative evaluation of the method is made with the iodometric titration and the colorimetric methods.

Findings

The results obtained reveal that the electrometric method excels in attaining higher level of accuracy, precision and lower detection limit, backed by ease of operation.

Practical implications

The method warrants reproducible results both for replicate synthetic and market samples, with a lower detection limit of about 0.1ppm within an acceptable limit of error.

Originality/value

The study shows significant difference between the estimated and labelled iodine values in various brands of iodized salts. Most of the salt samples analysed contain iodine levels far exceeding the WHO permitted limit. The method has the potential of application for in‐situ iodine measurement in iodine fortified salts to ensure rapid quality control, both at the retailer and production levels.

Citation

Shah, M.H., Jaffar, M., Shaheen, N. and Rasool, N. (2007), "Estimation of iodine in fortified salts by an improved electrometric method", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650710736381